Indeed, the philosopher-candidate’s inauguration may be more like David Foster Wallace’s sad spoilsport suicide than Kingwell acknowledges here, and subverting rules to win over an electorate while sneaking one through the president’s door dressed in sheep’s clothing his endgame.

Seems to me that if you’re the philosopher-president, the only way to save yourself from imminent political demise is to shed your skin once more to reveal the wolf-tongued politician we’ve seen all the others become. The philosopher must be left behind as, head hung low, you fumble back to Plato’s cave of bureaucracy and rhetoric and stupefying black-and-whites.

Piercing piece of writing, though. More on point than my comments, anyways, for you should never cry wolf.

David Owen Morgan
Toronto, ON


Taking It Off Online
No one should be condemned just for fulfilling their sexual desires and fantasies, provided no one gets hurt in the mix (“The Other Porn Addiction,” by Hal Niedzviecki). Our society objectifies women, and some women fight that, while others say, “Bring it on!” The latter group gets just as much of a thrill from being viewed as do the people who view them. It feels good to have the attention, but, more important, it feels good to have the power to stimulate others, to arouse them. It’s one realm of power where women have been able to step up to men over the course of history.

Natalie Pendergast
(online)

I have no moral objection to these behaviours, but I do have a sense of sadness about the fact that this kind of communication ultimately isolates people. Seeking intimacy online reduces their humanity; it doesn’t enhance it.

Anonymous